The legendary Red Devils coach: The road to success

Chapter 207 The Advantage is Mine

"Manchester United is struggling and Leeds United is also struggling. The two teams no longer have the opportunity to meet directly. Their competition now is about their performance in the final stage of the league, the stability of the team and the winning rate in the last few games."

--Inscription

Manchester United then continued to play two opponents in the league at a frequency of one game every three days, and were repeatedly caught in tough battles.

First, it was Wimbledon. This team, known for its toughness and roughness, had no worries about relegation at the end of the season, but they let themselves go against Manchester United. They took an offensive stance right from the start and engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with Manchester United.

For Ferguson's team, it was the easiest style to deal with if they were willing to pull out the front line and attack against themselves, but Ferguson's forwards were unlucky in this game, and the other midfielders were not wearing shooting boots. In the 5th minute, Manchester United's backcourt resisted a long pass from the opponent. The second point was controlled by Ins and then quickly counterattacked. McClair retreated to meet the ball, and all the players in the frontcourt of Manchester United accelerated and pressed forward. McClair passed the ball forward diagonally. At this time, the ball was like a sharp knife cutting through cheese and went directly to the penalty spot in the penalty area. Ins quickly followed up and shot, but unfortunately, this shot from 6 yards in front of the goal was missed! In the 19th minute, Giggs made a cross from the left. This quick and fast cross flew to the front of the Wimbledon penalty area. Hughes headed the ball at the edge of the small penalty area without being marked, and missed another sure-fire goal opportunity. Giggs failed to complete the assist and his own shooting was not very good. In the 26th minute, after he passed his opponent and entered the penalty area, he could have easily aimed at the blind corner and shot hard, but in the end it ended with a wasted shot; in the 33rd minute, Kanchelskis passed the ball, McClair and Hughes cooperated and then shot, but the ball was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper; in the 37th minute, Manchester United made a cross from the right, Ings received the second point at the top of the penalty area and immediately took a long shot, which was blocked by the opponent's defender.

In the first half, Manchester United had many attacks, but they didn't score. Wimbledon also had many attacks, and Manchester United's defense was very serious. Bruce and Pallister withstood most of the opponent's lob attempts, and Schmeichel saved two long shots.

The situation in the second half was almost the same as in the first half. Manchester United continued to attack, but still could not break the deadlock. Even though Ferguson made continuous substitutions in the 79th minute and even asked Bruce to rush forward to play as a center forward after the 80th minute, he still failed to score and the game ended with a regretful score of 0-0.

After the match Manchester United faced Queens Park Rangers.

The opponent was not strong either, but Ferguson's team was still hampered by bad luck. It's not that Manchester United players didn't work hard, but they really forgot how to shoot. Manchester United wasted a lot of opportunities, and the forwards' wasteful assists were simply outrageous. In the 7th minute, Giggs wasted a great opportunity to score an empty goal. He passed the opponent's defender and rushed into the penalty area. The opponent's other central defender was completely unable to block him, but he had time to pass the goalkeeper, but didn't have time to see where the goal was, and his shot went directly off target; in the 23rd and 29th minutes, McClair got opportunities in the penalty area continuously, but he didn't complete the final shot, and his shot was weak and the goal was directly hit at the goalkeeper; in the 33rd and 35th minutes, Manchester United took consecutive corner kicks, but there was only thunder but no rain.

In the second half, Manchester United continued to attack, but still couldn't pry open the opponent's turtle shell. Everyone was extremely depressed, but no one could do anything.

Ferguson's team had 20 shots, 22 crosses and 12 shots into the opponent's penalty area, but they didn't score in the end. In both the first and second half, fans saw Ferguson was anxious and kept issuing various offensive instructions, but he could only sigh on the sidelines.

Ferguson went home after the game and locked himself in his room, sulking and unable to eat the dinner his wife cooked. His son Darren explained to his mother, "My dad kept everyone on the field after the game today and asked them to think about why they couldn't score. He got furious and forced Schmeichel, Hughes, McClair, Ince, Giggs and other guys to practice shooting again."

"What made him even angrier was that even in this kind of normal practice, several of our team's attackers didn't play well. In the end, McClair and Hughes were dragged into the game with my dad, and they lost too!"

Ferguson found it hard to imagine, but the reality was cruel. Losing to Nottingham Forest, drawing with Wimbledon and Queens Park Rangers, this sudden three-game losing streak caused the Red Devils to lose the planned 7 points (only 3 points from 9 points in 2 games), and suddenly lost the initiative in the competition with Leeds United for the top spot.

Now we have reached the final sprint of the season. No team can afford a sudden loss or three consecutive defeats, which is almost equivalent to giving up the initiative to challenge the championship.

The Red Devils have now finished 34 rounds of the league, while Leeds United have finished 36 rounds. Manchester United originally had the opportunity to grab points and surpass Leeds United, but now it is the White Roses who seized the opportunity to establish their advantage and lead the standings.

利兹联队现在成绩为18胜15平3负，积分达到了69分，排名第一位。红魔则少赛两轮，成绩为18胜13平3负积67分，落后两分排在第二。

Leeds United played two more games, and the situation was not too bad for Ferguson's team. They were only two points behind and only needed a victory in the make-up game to overtake.

The Manchester Evening News published a forecast, believing that when Manchester United loses points, Leeds United will also lose points. The form of both teams is not particularly good and they should not be able to maintain their undefeated streak until the end of the season.

The Guardian interviewed Leeds United captain and former Manchester United player Strachan. Strachan was not too sure about the championship situation, but just emphasized to fight. He said: "We don't feel any special pressure, because now every step is our success. We have already set records, and now we just need to maintain this mentality and strive for more victories."

Leeds United coach Wilkins stressed, "We are still ahead in points, which is the biggest advantage for us. Our goal is to compete for the championship. Now ranking first in points means that the goal is getting closer and closer. Manchester United will be under additional psychological pressure because of falling behind. As long as we continue to win, Manchester United will make mistakes."

Ferguson's assistant coach Kidd of Manchester United was interviewed and he stressed that Manchester United now has a greater advantage. Kidd said, "We are two points behind, but we have two games less and we will definitely seize the opportunity to play the make-up games. We only need one win to overtake our opponents. When we lead by four points, Leeds United will definitely have a psychological collapse."

The BBC invited several professionals to discuss and analyze the situation. Most people believed that the Red Devils had the advantage of playing two fewer games. As long as Ferguson's team remained stable, the Red Devils would still have the initiative in the championship race. Manchester United legend Law said, "If the Red Devils can remain unbeaten, then the championship will be a foregone conclusion. If the Red Devils can seize the opportunity to win those make-up games, then it is also a sure thing to surpass their opponents in points. In this way, the Red Devils will always be in the driver's seat."

In the focus match of the 35th round, the Red Devils faced Norwich under the attention of all the people.

Whether the Red Devils can stop the downward trend depends on whether they can beat the Canaries away. Back then, Norwich was a strong team that quickly emerged in English football. Although there were no big-name players in the team, their overall strength was very good and they often gave the English giants a hard time.

Manchester United was on full alert. Ferguson sent out the strongest 11 players to start the game and instructed the team to attack strongly from the beginning, to suppress the opponent's momentum, and to take the initiative to fight for and disrupt the opponent's rushing tactics.

The first goal for the Red Devils was scored by Paul Ince, a midfielder who rarely scored this season. He received a pass from his teammate outside the opponent's penalty area and scored a goal directly into the blind corner, opening the door to goal for the Red Devils. Ince was not satisfied after scoring a goal, and he showed his strength again in the second half, firing a heavy shot from 10 yards outside the penalty area on the right side. This cannonball-like shot flew directly into the upper corner of the opponent's goal!

After taking the lead, the Red Devils launched a sharp counterattack, with midfielder Mark Hughes as the axis. Lee Sharp got the ball on the left and rushed forward at high speed. He made a cross to McClair near the end line. The Red Devils striker headed the ball into the goal in front of the goal, locking the game at 3-1.

Manchester United legend Stiles said in an interview, "I really hope that Manchester United can lead to the end and win the league championship. Now the team needs to wake up to 12 points, withstand the ubiquitous pressure, overcome various difficulties and challenges, maintain a tenacious will, maintain a full spirit, and maintain a good state, so that it is possible to laugh to the end."

After this round, Manchester United's points reached 70, briefly surpassing Leeds United and taking the top spot in the standings.

The Times said: "The pressure is now on Leeds United."

Under pressure, Leeds United also made mistakes and they also had problems. In the 37th round of the league, Leeds United played poorly and lost to Manchester City 0-4, suffering a big defeat.

This score and this defeat not only shocked the media on the scene, but also dealt a huge blow to the morale of Leeds United. Most Leeds United fans felt desperate.

The current situation is this: Leeds United still has 37 points after 69 rounds, while Manchester United has 35 points after 70 rounds, overtaking its opponent in one fell swoop.

Manchester United not only took first place in the points, but also had the opportunity to play two make-up games.

The Daily Mail reporter said: "The league has entered its most intense competition. Leeds United still has five rounds left before the end of the season, while Manchester United still has seven rounds. Who will win the championship? Now it seems that Manchester United has the advantage."

The Guardian said: "The final stage of the league will ultimately determine the ownership of the league championship. Manchester United has a clear advantage, but Leeds United also has a chance. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes and performs most stably in the next game will win the final victory."

In the 36th round of the league, Manchester United played against their city rivals Manchester City at home. Ferguson regarded every game against Manchester City as a good opportunity for revenge, and this game was no exception.

Before this game, Manchester City had just swept Leeds United, who were at the top of the standings, 4-0, and "helped Manchester United a lot" without any hesitation, but Ferguson would not appreciate it. He insisted that Manchester City was their mortal enemy anyway, and the hatred and confrontation between the fans of the two teams were irreconcilable.

Facing the rivals in the same city, Ferguson sent out his best players. Manchester United played very bravely at the beginning of the game, while the opponent was still affected by the big battle against Leeds United and was a little out of shape. In the 17th minute, Giggs received a pass from Hughes in the front right field, and then dribbled the ball all the way to the opponent's penalty area. After passing a defender, he shot hard from the top of the penalty area and hit the ball into the dead corner of the opponent's goal. Manchester United won 1-0 against the opponent.

In the following games, Manchester United firmly controlled the tempo of the game. They shifted left and right many times in the midfield area and passed the ball smoothly. Even if the opponent wanted to launch a counterattack immediately, they had no way to do so because they could not snatch the ball from the feet of Manchester United players.

Manchester United's control was very stable, but they did not waste offensive opportunities. In the 31st minute, Ings received a pass from Webber, dribbled the ball to the edge of the penalty area and passed it to Hughes. Hughes made a sudden stop in the penalty area to deceive his opponent, controlled the ball to the left and found an open space, and immediately shot the ball directly into the upper corner of the opponent's goal. This wonderful cooperation and shot was finally ended by the Manchester City goalkeeper, who flew in time to block Hughes' heavy artillery.

In the following time, both sides had opportunities, but neither of them seized them. Manchester United's Hughes and McClair missed three consecutive passes in the penalty area and ultimately failed to help the team expand the score.

The whistle sounded, and this highlight match of the city derby ended with Manchester United winning 1-0.

Manchester United has passed another hurdle and is now getting closer to the season's championship.